Unbonded loosefill insulation

Abstract

A loosefill insulation installation includes a loosefill insulation material made from fiberglass fibers. The loosefill insulation material unexpectedly has improved thermal performance, even through the amount of mineral oil applied to the fiberglass fibers is reduce. For example, the fiberglass fibers can be coated with a mineral oil in an amount that is between 0.1% and 0.6% of the weight of the fiberglass fibers, such as about 0.375%.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A loosefill insulation installation comprising:
 a loosefill insulation material made from fiberglass fibers; 
 wherein the loosefill insulation material has an average installed thickness; 
 wherein the average density of 10.5 inches of the installed loosefill insulation material is less than or equal to 0.485 pounds per cubic foot; 
 wherein a ratio of the thermal conductivity of the loosefill insulation installation to an ideal batt having the same density as the average density of the loosefill insulation installation is between one and 1.5; and 
 wherein the fiberglass fibers are coated with a mineral oil in an amount that is between 0.1% and 0.6% of the weight of the fiberglass fibers. 
 
     
     
       2. The loosefill insulation installation of  claim 1 , wherein the fiberglass fibers comprise a combination of two or more of SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , CaO, MgO, B 2 O 3 , Na 2 O, K 2 O, and Fe 2 O 3 . 
     
     
       3. The loosefill insulation installation of  claim 1 , wherein the mineral oil is between 0.2% and 0.5% of the weight of the fiberglass fibers. 
     
     
       4. The loosefill insulation installation of  claim 3 , wherein the mineral oil is a blend of light and heavy paraffinic oils. 
     
     
       5. The loosefill insulation installation of  claim 3 , wherein the mineral oil has a viscosity of less than or equal to 20 cST at 40 degrees centigrade, and less than or equal to 50 cST at 20 degrees centigrade. 
     
     
       6. The loosefill insulation installation of  claim 3 , wherein the mineral oil has a pour point in the range of −10 degrees Fahrenheit to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
       7. The loosefill insulation installation of  claim 3 , wherein the mineral oil has a flash point that is below or equal to 365 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
       8. The loosefill insulation installation of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the thermal conductivity of the loosefill insulation installation to an ideal batt having the same density and thickness as the loosefill insulation installation is between one and 1.4.